Representative Ruben Gallego of Arizona is making waves in the U.S. Senate race with his record-breaking $19 million reservation for television advertisements for the upcoming general election. Running unopposed in the Democratic primary, Gallego is gearing up for a tough battle against Republican candidate Kari Lake, a staunch ally of former President Donald J. Trump.
The race for the Senate seat, currently held by Senator Kyrsten Sinema, is shaping up to be a closely contested one, with the Cook Political Report rating it as a “tossup.” Gallego’s massive ad reservation is expected to give him a significant advantage over Lake, who has struggled to match his fundraising and spending efforts.
Despite facing a Republican challenger in the primary, Lake is expected to secure the nomination easily. However, she may face an uphill battle in the general election if she cannot keep up with Gallego’s advertising blitz. The National Republican Senatorial Committee has endorsed Lake, but some national Republicans are hesitant to heavily invest in the Arizona race, prioritizing other Senate contests they view as more winnable.
On the other hand, Gallego has the backing of the Senate Majority PAC, a Democratic group that has reserved $23 million for advertising on his behalf. As a progressive lawmaker representing a district in Phoenix, Gallego is working to appeal to a broader statewide electorate by positioning himself as a pragmatic lawmaker and former Marine.
With both candidates ramping up their campaign efforts, the Arizona Senate race is sure to be one to watch as the general election approaches.